Posted: October 6th, 2022

Research Methods and Design BUS9056M

Research Methods and Design
BUS9056M
Term B
2021-22
2
Contents
Module Details………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 3
Contact Details …………………………………………………………………………………………………. 3
Introduction ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 4
Learning Outcomes …………………………………………………………………………………………… 4
Transferable Skills…………………………………………………………………………………………….. 5
Principles of Responsible Management Education …………………………………………………. 5
Module Delivery………………………………………………………………………………………………… 6
Contact Time ………………………………………………………………………………………………… 6
Directed Study ………………………………………………………………………………………………. 6
Independent Study…………………………………………………………………………………………. 7
Feedback Strategy ……………………………………………………………………………………………. 7
Assessment Summary……………………………………………………………………………………….. 9
Weighted Assessments…………………………………………………………………………………… 9
Assessment Criteria……………………………………………………………………………………….. 9
Reading ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 11
Subject librarians …………………………………………………………………………………………. 11
Appendix 1: Assessment (Research Method Report) …………………………………………. .133
Appendix 2: Assessment Criteria/Grading for Learning Outcomes ………………..….. 20
Research Methods and Design [BUS9056M] – Semester B (2022)
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Module Details
Module Code: BUS9056M
Credit Rating: 15
Level: M
Subject: Research Methods and Design
Pre-requisites: none
Co-requisites: none
Barred Combinations: none
Department: Management
External Examiner: Leslie Milliken, FCIS
Contact Details
Module Co-ordinator: Dr Rebecca Herron
[email protected]
Other Lecturing Staff: Abiola Akinsola-Obatolu [email protected]
Charlotte Cartledge [email protected]
Chigozie Chukwu [email protected]
Dr Mahdieh Zeinali [email protected]
Admin Support: [email protected]
(Becca Hill and Becca Rooney)
or
LIBS Reception (David Chiddick Building)
01522 83 5509
Research Methods and Design [BUS9056M] – Semester B (2022)
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Introduction
This module prepares you for undertaking the research for your Masters’ dissertation or
project, as well as other assignments. It introduces you to the core principles of research
design, the research methods you are likely to encounter in your research, and the
organisation of independent study. The module seeks to develop competency in
research methodology to Masters Level. You will be encouraged to develop not only as a
reflexive postgraduate researcher but also as a critical practitioner; (one who can
critically evaluate and (re) interpret evidence presented in published sources).
While it is assumed that most students will have some knowledge and understanding of
the basic qualitative and quantitative data collection methods in social research, these
will be revisited, reappraised and extended. Contemporary research, and debates and
controversies within the journals will also be used to facilitate a critical discussion of the
epistemological and ontological assumptions of published research. Such debates will
also be used to facilitate a critical understanding of issues like reflexivity, triangulation,
ethics, validity and reliability.
The module seeks to introduce you to a balance of qualitative and quantitative methods
of data collection and analysis. In the context of qualitative data, you will learn how to
conduct, transcribe and analyse semi-structured interviews. The principles and
procedures of survey design and statistical modelling will also be introduced; and you will
be shown how to use specialist statistical software where appropriate to analyse data.
You will also develop and present your own dissertation ideas as a research proposal.
Learning Outcomes
On completion of the module you should be able to:
LO1 Design a programme of research and investigation: formulate and implement
qualitative and/or quantitative research designs appropriate for post-graduate
research in business and management
LO2 Demonstrate the knowledge and skills required to gather and analyse data in
accordance with sound principles of research and investigation (having the knowhow to analyse, present and interpret complex qualitative data using appropriate
tools of analysis and to analyse, present and interpret large quantitative data sets
using a range of statistical techniques)

LO3 Critically evaluate source material using the concepts of research design and
evaluate the contribution of your research to existing theoretical frameworks
AssignmentTutorOnline

LO4 Evaluate critically different research paradigms; reflecting on your own research
practice and design preferences and the implications for your dissertation
Research Methods and Design [BUS9056M] – Semester B (2022)
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Transferable Skills
The module enhances your employability by developing transferable Work Ready skills.
Click on this SU link to see more details of ways you can log your own development of
these transferable skills: Transferable Skills
These skills include:
Organisation – You will need this to organise group and independent research activities
Communication – Primary research requires either verbal or written communication
Teamwork – Your team (seminar groups) will work together to design data collection
Learning & Adaptability – You need to adapt to the ideas of others and subject reading
Leadership – There will be times you will need to take the initiative and lead/follow others
Perseverance & Initiative – research takes time and patience and requires initiative.
Commercial Awareness – you need to think how research impacts business or planning
Researching and Analysing – this is one of the core activities of this module
Problem Solving – practical and conceptual problem solving is essential for success
Students can acquire some of these by studying this module, and students are encouraged
to reflect each week on which skills they have been developing and to formally log these
(for your own future reference and use when applying for work/volunteering or other
activities). In addition to the specific learning outcomes and transferable skills detailed
above, the module also facilitates the development of a number of other transferable skills;
these are skills which will contribute to your own personal development as a ‘scholar’, but
also in the world of work. These can be identified as:
▪ Developing reasoned argument to support or refute a case.
▪ Applying academic approaches to issues and decision making.
▪ Applying appropriate IT and research skills.
▪ Demonstrating teamwork, group skills, self appraisal and reflectivity.
▪ demonstrating skills in interpersonal and public presentation.
Principles of Responsible Management Education
The Lincoln International Business School is committed to the Principles of Responsible
Management Education (PRME) to develop future leaders that are socially responsible
who will create sustainable environmental and economic value. This module contributes
to the PRME agenda directly [Principle 3 (Method) and Principle 4 (Research)] by
developing student-led research and encouraging linkages to the UN Sustainable
Development Goals – especially SDG8 (Good jobs and Economic Growth), SDG9
(Innovation and Infrastructure), SDG11 (Sustainable Communities) and SDG12
(Responsible Consumption). see: https://www.unprme.org
https://www.unprme.org/resources/display-resources.php?cid=6
Research Methods and Design [BUS9056M] – Semester B (2022)
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Module Delivery
The module will be delivered through a series of lectures and seminars. Students will be
provided with access to online (Blackboard) materials produced by the staff team as well
as key background and directed readings. Regular lectures and seminars (face-to-face or
online as appropriate) are accompanied by directed learning activities – including recorded
lectures – enabling students to work in their own time outside scheduled online lectures,
seminars and drop-in sessions. Due to the current Coronavirus pandemic these sessions
will be delivered face to face (where possible and academically desirable) or as a mixture
of online and face-to-face where this is possible.
This module will be delivered over 12 weeks in Semester B. It will be delivered through a
combination of lectures and seminars each week as well as prepared materials to view out
of class. The prepared materials include pre-recorded lectures and specific exercises (e.g.
worksheets). Each week the lecture will introduce students to a variety of ideas through a
series of lecture/seminars on a range of themes related to designing research and
developing skills in methods of research production.
In addition to this, you are also encouraged to speak to your seminar tutor; given that
reflexivity is a central concern in research, workshops and seminars will be consciously
participatory and collaborative. Students will engage in a series of practical ‘exercises’ so
as to develop their research skills (practice) in the context of a growing knowledge of
research methodology. Some of these exercises will be collaborative, others being more
independent. The schedule of planned activity will be made available on blackboard.
Contact Time The content of the module will be presented in the form of a number of separate lectures and seminars. Students will be given access, via Blackboard, to resources that have been created by the teaching staff and made available online. These materials will include important background and directed readings. Students are given the opportunity to work on their own time outside of scheduled online lectures, seminars, and drop-in sessions by participating in directed learning activities, which may include recorded lectures, in addition to regularly scheduled in-person or online lectures and seminars, as applicable. As a result of the ongoing Coronavirus epidemic, these sessions will either be conducted in person (where it is feasible and academically desirable to do so) or in a hybrid format that combines online and in-person instruction where this is possible.
During the second semester, this course will be spread out over a period of twelve weeks. It will be presented each week through a combination of lectures and seminars, in addition to resources that can be seen outside of the classroom that have been created. The materials that have been developed include specialized activities, such as worksheets, as well as pre-recorded lectures. Students will be exposed to new concepts on a weekly basis during the lecture, which will take the form of a series of lectures and seminars on a wide variety of topics concerning the planning of research and the development of skills in techniques of research production.
In addition to this, you are also strongly urged to communicate with your seminar professor; given that reflexivity is a fundamental focus in research, workshops and seminars will be deliberately interactive and collaborative in nature. Students will participate in a series of hands-on ‘exercises’ in order to hone their research abilities (practice) within the framework of expanding their understanding of research technique. The majority of these activities will focus on working independently, but others will require teamwork. The timetable for the activity that is going to be organized will be written down on the whiteboard.
The format of sessions will vary according to the topic under discussion and will
generally involve 2 hours of lectures per week and 1 hour of workshop/seminars per
week along with some additional support sessions and independent learning activities.
SPSS will be introduced to students and they will be able to download a (free) copy of
the computer software onto their own devices for use during their studies. Students will
also be able to work on predetermined data sets. Other workshops / seminars will involve
a discussion of published research, specific research exercises and discussion of
students own ideas.
Directed Study
You will be directed to learn specific skills in research analysis including the surveying,
interviewing, transcription and data analysis skills necessary for the assignment. You will
also be given guided tuition where you will learn how to code interview transcripts and to
apply some basic statistical analysis techniques using SPSS software. These sessions
will guide the class through specific analysis that can be used in the assessment or
students’ later dissertations.
All students will be encouraged to connect ideas from this course to the parallel exercise
of creating a proposal for their dissertation project (research project, consultancy or startup). Your topic is expected to be inspired by program content and students are expected
to discuss their emerging ideas in their seminar groups and comment upon each other’s
Research Methods and Design [BUS9056M] – Semester B (2022)
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work in a constructive and developmental manner as part of the module delivery.
Directed class-work will help students construct collective ideas.
Independent Study
Independent study is a necessary and essential part of this module. You will be
expected to work through a number of SPSS worksheets in class and explore the topics
these raise in your own time. You will be able to download the SPSS software to do this.
You are expected to read widely about a number of research methods and to develop the
core ideas presented in lectures through your own study of the recommended texts and
similar sources. You will be expected to extend and develop skills in qualitative analysis
through practice and independent study. You are expected to read a variety of sources
about research design and research ethics and to be able to apply these to your work.
Work at Merit level and above in the module’s assessments will be expected to
demonstrate evidence of considerable wider study. Some self-organised work with other
students (e.g. testing your pilot surveys) will also be required outside the timetabled
sessions.

Module Delivery Total Hours
Lectures 24 Hours
Seminars 8 Hours
IT Workshops (SPSS) 4 Hours
Directed work/exercises 24 Hours
Drop-in/support sessions 2 Hours
Independent study 88 Hours
Nominal Total (15 CATS) 150
Feedback Strategy
Receiving formative feedback during your learning is essential to ensure you are prepared
for your final assessments. To support your learning throughout the module the following
formative feedback strategies are used:
• Assessment Workshops – Seminar tutors will guide you through specific
exercises related to developing ideas for the assessment. These include some
group working and some individual preparation. You will be required to discuss
ideas in class and both your tutors and your class peers will be encouraged to give
you informal, developmental feedback
• Dedicated assessment support lectures – the Module Leader and seminar tutors
will provide specific sessions that go through the expectations of the assessments
and provide support on this. Some additional sessions may be timetabled at the
end of the module as required to provide flexible support.
• Feedback on draft work – students will be given rubrics (specific sections to
complete) in each assessment. Students can discuss with their seminar tutors
sections they do not understand or are having difficulties completing. No formal
marks will be provided on draft work but students should use the opportunity to
develop an understanding of the marking expectations with their seminar tutors.
Research Methods and Design [BUS9056M] – Semester B (2022)
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• Meetings with tutors – students are encouraged to raise general issues in online
classes first (as they are likely to be issues others are also facing so these are often
best discussed together). Specific issues can then also be discussed with seminar
tutors. Some online drop-in sessions will be timetabled at the end of the module if
required (probably in small groups).
Research Methods and Design [BUS9056M] – Semester B (2022)
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Assessment Summary
The module is assessed by the production of a single element:
Report on a Research Exercise (100% of module mark)
You will be asked to write a report on a specific exercises you are required to undertake.
There are 3 parts to this report. Part 1 assesses skills in qualitative research, Part 2
assesses skills in quantitative research and Part 3 is a short personal reflection on your
own research preferences and the skills developed.
The details of the required exercises are pre-specified and outlined in Appendix 2. The
word count for your report for this assessment will be up to 5,000 words.
These reports should all reflect the newly enhanced knowledge-base on research design
and methods built up during this module and students’ own independent study – and you
are expected to demonstrate this with your use of appropriate supporting references.
The requirements for this activity are very specific and should be read and followed
carefully. Full assessment details are available in Appendix 1.
Weighted Assessments
To summarise:
Research Methods Report (100%); submitted via Blackboard
Detailed instructions for this assignment are also contained on the module’s Blackboard
site.
Assessment Criteria
Assessment Criteria Grids will be used to indicate how marks will be allocated, they are
included in Appendix 2.

Assessment Method Weighting (%) Date Due LO’s Assessed
1 2 3 4
Coursework (report) 100%

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